Dear Dory,I'm curious about the design and pattern publication process. In your understanding, how does it work?Sincerely,Wondering in Wichita

Dear Wondering,Based on months of observation of Kristen, I believe the design process goes something like this:1. Get an idea! Check Ravelry and see if there's anything similar.2. Find 17 similar things, get discouraged.3. Have a new idea!4. Celebrate because this idea is original.5. Survive a week where the baby wakes up every 2 hours at night; completely forget not only brilliant idea, but how to knit, and even how to dress yourself.6. Suddenly remember idea at 3am; sketch Thing out. Wonder why you spent so much money on art classes in high school, because sketch looks like it was created by 3 year old drawing with crayon held in his mouth.7. Start swatching. Find 18 squillion stitch patterns, shaping ideas, yarn combinations, etc. that won't work.

21. Test knitters finish knitting, and actually have things that look like Thing. Success!22. Pass your pattern on to a tech editor, who will point out embarrassing math errors, spelling mistakes and other obvious blunders you can't believe you didn't notice. 23. Voila! Your pattern is complete. Pass it on to interested parties, possibly along with your sample, and take a vacation. Or drink a lot of wine.